While this herbal was published later than all others featured in this collection,
it is noteworthy because it represents Thomas Bewick's only attempt
at botanical wood engravings. Included are 261 woodcuts by the
foremost woodcut artist of his day based on the originals by Peter
Charles Henderson. This is the first edition of these cuts by Bewick;
the illustrations were the reason for this book's excellent sales
record. The text is a straightforward and useful medicinal herbal
by Dr. Thornton, who was a physician and medical writer of
importance in his day. The section on Foxglove, from which
digitalis is made, is the longest in the book.